(Newser)
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The noose appears to be tightening around Google. Federal sources have now identified the Google engineer who knew—and informed co-workers and a boss—that Street View cars were snatching unencrypted personal data from potentially millions of household wireless networks over three years, according to government investigators. Google execs have maintained that they were completely surprised when the information was "inadvertently" gathered by prowling Street View cars. The FCC has referred to the engineer who contradicts Google's claim it was in the dark as "Engineer Doe."

But a former state investigator involved in a separate probe of Street View has now identified the engineer—who wrote the Street View code—as programmer Marius Milner, reports the New York Times. He identifies himself as a "hacker" on his LinkedIn page, and states: "I know more than I want about Wi-Fi." Google refused to comment, and Milner, of Palo Alto, referred questions to an attorney, who also refused to comment, notes the Times. Critics have blasted Google for hijacking emails and searches, and the FCC for failing to protect consumers.

Dear Mary Papenfuss, The word "data" is plural; "datum" is the singular form. "Google execs have maintained that they were completely surprised when the data was 'inadvertently' gathered by prowling Street View cars." Data WERE. You are a two-time loser: "GOOGLER WHO KNEW DATA WAS SNATCHED IS OUTED." Congrats: You're a two-time loser today. Back to English 101.